Showing this week: The Blind Side, Crying With Laughter and The Habbit of Art

The Blind Side(12A)

This is the remarkable true story of American football star Michael Oher. Teenager Michael is surviving on his own, virtually homeless, when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock). Learning that the young man is one of her daughter’s classmates, she insists that he come out of the cold. What starts out as a gesture of kindness turns into something more as Michael becomes a part of the family. As they help Michael fulfil his potential, his presence in their lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own.

BBFC Advice: Contains infrequent moderate violence, language and sex references

Fri – Tues: 7.40pm
Weds: 2pm & 7.40pm
Thurs: 7.40pm

Crying With Laughter (18)

Let Joey Frisk tell you about the worst week of his life. Things are looking up for stand up comedian Joey Frisk – his foul mouthed act has drawn interest from people in high places. Then he tells one little gag about an old school friend named Frank, who just happens to be in the audience, and things begin to unravel – suddenly Frank is everywhere Joey goes, wanting to talk about the old days. A bold, low budget thriller from Scotland, with a powerhouse performance from Stephen McCole (Rushmore, Last Orders).

BBFC Advice: Contains very strong references to sex and child abuse

Fri – Tues: 6pm & 8.15pm

Weds: 2.15pm, 6pm & 8.15pm

Thurs: 4.15pm

The Habit Of Art: Live from the National Theatre

The National Theatre comes to Light House with a live presentation of this acclaimed new play. Benjamin Britten, sailing uncomfortable close to the wind with his new opera Death In Venice, seeks advice from his former collaborator and friend W H Auden. During this imagined meeting, their first for twenty five years, they are observed and interrupted by, amongst others, their future biographer and a young man from the local bus station. ‘You are a rent boy. I am a poet. Over the wall lies the Dean of Christ Church. We all have our parts to play.’ Starring Richard Griffiths, Frances De La Tour and Alex Jennings, this premier production by Nicholas Hytner has received outstanding reviews.

Alan Bennett’s immaculate new play-within-a-play has the audience bawling with laughter throughout. This sad, funny, whimsical piece about age and fading dreams is immaculately executed and represents the National at its very best. I thought it unlikely that he would be able to equal the success of The History Boys but The Habit of Art is another absolute cracker, often wonderfully and sometimes filthily funny, but also deeply and unexpectedly moving.

Daily Telegraph

Alan Bennett’s fictionalised encounter between two giants of the 20th-century culture is full of ideas – and great jokes… a gloriously sustained, constantly shifting piece of irony….Both Griffiths and Jennings are terrific. A tsunami of jokes, a tidal wave of argumentative statements, a gorgeous gust of opinion.

The Guardian

Take your seats on Thursday for 6.45pm, joining the audience at the National Theatre, ready for ‘curtain up’ at 7pm.